Know the difference between a fluorescent and incandescent light bulb? Do you believe that climate change is an “inconvenient truth?” Or a “hoax” perpetuated on the public?
Test your green IQ and see just how eco-savvy you really are.
1. What is the ecological footprint* of a U.S. resident?
A. 2 acres B. 10 acres C. 24 acres D. 200 acres
2. How many acres of ecologically productive land are available for the planet’s current population of six billion people?
A. 5 acres per person B. 15 acres per person C. 50 acres per person D. 150 acres per person
3. What is the per capita ecological footprint of Middlebury College (circa 2005)?
A. .18 acres B. 1.8 acres C. 18 acres D. 180 acres
4. How much solid waste, per day, did Middlebury students, faculty, and staff produce in 2005?
A. 2 ounces B. 2 pounds C. 20 pounds D. 200 pounds
5. How much campus waste was recycled at Middlebury in 2005?
A. 5 percent B. 15 percent C. 40 percent D. 60 percent
6. How much solid waste, per day, did American residents produce in 2005?
A. 5 ounces B. 5 pounds C. 15 pounds D. 50 pounds
7. In the U.S. in 2004, what percentage of electricity was derived from renewable energy sources**?
A. 6 percent B. 16 percent C. 25 percent D. 60 percent
8. At Middlebury in 2005, what percentage of electricity was derived from renewable energy sources**?
A. 1 percent B. 10 percent C. 30 percent D. 55 percent
9. How much fuel oil will be saved, per year, when Middlebury’s biomass gasification plant goes online in 2008?
A. 1,000 gallons B. 10,000 gallons C. 100,000 gallons
D. 1,000,000 gallons
10. How much rainwater is absorbed by a “living roof?”*** (Thereby preventing polluted storm water from running off into nearby streams.)
A. 15 percent B. 50 percent C. 75 percent D. 95 percent
Bonus Question: Which building on the Middlebury Campus has a living roof?
A. Atwater Dining Hall B. Old Chapel C. Bicentennial Hall D. Procter
Answers
1. C 2. A 3. C 4. B 5. D 6. B 7. A. 8. C 9. D 10. D
Bonus: A
How did you do?
0–3 Ouch. You might want to come back to Midd and audit an environmental studies course.
4–6 Not bad, and if you’re at the high end of this range, you’re better than most U.S. residents, though that’s changing. At least you’re at the head of the curve.
7–9 Impressive. Your savvy on eco-matters is to be commended.
10 Al Gore, is that you?
* The number of ecologically active acres needed to supply a person’s energy, food, transportation, shelter needs and waste disposal. To determine your ecological footprint go to www.myfootprint.org
** Solar, wind, hydropower, biomass, geothermal
*** Vegetated roof cover